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HISTORY 


APR 


A 


^c, 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 


EwiNG,  New  Jersey 


The  substance  of  a  tlisconrse  prenohed  by  the  Rev.  Geoegk  L.  Smith,  Pastor 

of  the  Church,  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Ewinp, 

N.  J.,  on  .July  2,  1876. 


PUBLISHED    BY    REQUEST. 


TRENTON,  N.  J.: 
M4cfc8fcu.igH  k  QuiGF.EY,  Steam  Powkh  Phinter«. 


BX 

9211 

.N58628 

F506 

1876 


4-,   3,  /  / 


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'^^^' 


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^i  X\\t  ^k^olagxc^i 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


%: 


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BX  9211  .N58628  F506  1876 
smith,  George  L.  1837-1928 
History  of  the  First    ^ 
Presbyterian  Church,  o. 


HISTORY 


FIRST  Presbyterian  Church, 


EwiNG,  New  Jersey. 


1/ 

F.  George  L.  Smith 


The  substance  of  a  discourse  preached  by  the  Rev.  George  L.  Smith,  Pastor 

of  the  Chnrch,  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Ewing, 

N.  J.,  on  July  2,  1876. 


PUBLISHED    BY    REQUEST. 


TRENTON,  N.  J.: 
MAcCnELLisii  &  Quigley,  Ste.\m  Power  Printers^ 


Those  who  heard  this  sermon  delivered,  will  observe  some  omissions 
as  it  now  appears  in  jsrint.  It  will,  however,  perhaps  be  remembered 
that  what  has  been  left  out  was  simply  appeals  to  action  in  some  mat- 
ters which  seemed  to  call  for  present  attention.  These,  of  course, 
would  not  be  of  permanent  interest,  and,  hence,  for  that,  as  well  as  for 
other  reasons,  it  was  thought  best  to  drop  thena.  Without  other  mate- 
rial change  in  the  sermon  as  pronounced  in  the  pulpit,  we  give  it  to 
the  i^ress,  hoping  that  in  its  perusal  some  pleasure  may  be  afforded  to 
those  who  love  that  Church  and  all  its  surroundings,  and  all  that  is 
connected  with  it;  and  begging  a  charitable  consideration  frona  those 
who  may  see  in  it  many  and  glaring  faults.  G.  L.  S. 

EwiNG,  N.  J.,  July,  1876. 


"  Remember  the  daj's  of  old  ;  consider  the  years  of  many  genera- 
tions."— Deuteronomy,  XXXII  Chapter,  7th  Verse. 

We  cannot  live  in  the  past,  neither  can  we  change  any  of 
its  events ;  but,  nevertheless,  we  may  sometimes,  perhaps, 
profitably  dwell  in  thought  upon  it,  and  receive  instruction 
and  inspiration  for  present  action,  while  we  are  pressing  on 
toward  some  high  mark  in  the  future.  A  glance  at  the  past 
may  stimulate  to  earnestness  at  the  present,  and  a  beam  of 
light  from  the  shining  course  of  others  may  cast  a  bright- 
ness upon  our  pathway. 

It  was,  perhaps,  some  such  motives  as  these,  together 
with  the  far  higher  one  of  observing  God's  ways  and  deal- 
ings with  them,  that  influenced  Moses,  in  the  words  of  the 
text  and  context,  to  urge  the  remembrance  of  the  da^'s  of 
old.  Probably,  too,  motives  of  this  kind  have  influenced 
our  General  Assembly  and  the  Presbytery  to  which  we 
belong  to  take  the  action  which  they  have  with  reference  to 
historical  sermons  on  this  first  Sabbath  in  July  of  our  Cen- 
tennial year. 

In  attempting  to  give  something  of  a  history  of  this 
Church,  we  desire  at  first  to  acknowledge  our  indebtedness 
to  our  honored  predecessors,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cooley  and  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  De  Yeuve  and  Atwater,  who,  in  the  records 
which  they  have  left,  and  in  the  published  sermons  which 
particular  occasion  called  out  from  them,  have  furnished 
much  material  from  which  we  have  drawn.  "We  desire, 
also,  to  ask  the  kind  and  charitable  consideration  of  you 
who  have  for  so  long  a  time  lived  upon  this  ground,  and 
among  the  scenes  of  which  we  shall  speak,  and  from  your 
own  experience  know,  of  course,  of  some  things  much  more 
than  we  from  records  can  gather. 

It  is,  perhaps,  well  known  that  the  formation  of  this 
Church,  the  exact  date  of  which  cannot  probably  now  be 
determined,  evidently  ante-dates,  by  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tur3%  the  commencement  of  our  nation's  existence.  So  that, 
while  in  a  few  hours  we  shall  hear  the  booming  of  cannon 


and  the  sweet  strains  of  martial  music,  which  shall  unite 
with  unnuml)ered  other  demonstrations  to  proclaim  to  the 
world  a  nation's  joy  upon  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
its  hirth,  we  can  rejoice  in  more  than  a  century  and  a  half 
of  3'ears  that  have  been  added  to  our  existence  as  a  Church. 

While  the  exact  date  of  its  organization  is  not  known, 
the  time  of  some  other  transactions  is  given  definitely,  and 
by  these  we  can  at  least  presume,  with  a  good  deal  of  confi- 
dence, about  what  the  date  must  have  been.  In  the  year 
1702,  Mr.  John  Hutchinson  gave  to  Hopewell  township  two 
acres  of  ground  for  burial  purposes,  and  upon  which  to 
build  a  house  of  worship.  The  Presbyterian  and  Episco- 
palian families  united  in  putting  up  a  house  upon  that 
ground,  which  lies  near  the  Lunatic  Asylum  in  this  town- 
ship. But,  in  1712,  the  Presbyterians  had  erected  a  log 
house  upon  this  piece  of  ground  upon  which  we  to-day 
stand,  which  had  been  given  by  Mr.  Alexander  Lockhart, 
in  1709,  from  his  farm,  and  where,  for  more  than  a  century 
and  a  half  now,  has  there  stood  a  house  of  God,  to  which 
His  people  have  repaired  for  prayer  and  praise. 
.  In  1715,  the  Rev.  Robert  Orr  was  settled  here,  and  minis- 
tered to  the  Presbyterian  families  living  in  what  is  now 
Lawrence,  Hopewell,  Trenton,  and  Ewing,  until  1719,  when 
it  is  mentioned  on  the  Minutes  of  Philadelphia  Synod  that 
Mr.  Orr  is  without  charge. 

It  would  seem  quite  probable  that  the  Church  was  organ- 
ized here  before  Mr.  Orr  commenced  his  labors  in  1715, 
and  very  likely  when  the  Presbyterian  families  began  to 
worship  by  themselves,  in  their  log  Church,  in  1712,  they 
were  at  once  formed  into  a  Church.  ]Moreover,  Dr.  Hall 
states,  in  his  book  on  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Trenton,  the  following:  —  "As  an  old  tablet, 
now  in  the  walls  of  the  First  Church,  in  the  City  of  Tren- 
ton, gives  1712  as  the  year  in  which  the  Presbyterian 
Church  was  formed,  that  is  supposed  to  be  the  date  when 
the  parent  congregation  was  formally  organized,  in  view  of 
taking  possession  of  the  ground  conveyed  by  Lockhart  in 
1709."— if/.vto/'j/  Preshiiterian  Church,  Trenton,  N.  J.,J>agc  41. 
The  exact  date  of  the  organization,  however,  is  a  matter  of 
comparatively  little  importance;  but  is  it  not  a  matter  of 


very  great  interest  to  feel  that  this  ground,  on  which  we 
to-day  liave  mot,  lias  heen  for  more  than  a  century  and  a 
half  pressed  hy  the  feet  of  those  who  have  come  up  hither 
for  the  "SA'orship  of  the  same  God  whom  we  to-day  adore  ? 
Fathers,  and  fathers'  fathers,  on  the  most  sacred  errand  that 
ever  engaged  the  thoughts  and  attention  of  men,  have  come 
to  this  sacred  spot.  Hither  have  they  come  to  meet  Him 
who  has  promised  to  he  where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
in  His  name.  Hither  have  they  come  to  seek  blessings 
from  Him  who  has  said,  "  Seek  and  ye  shall  find."  Hither 
have  they  come  in  times  of  joy  to  render  thanksgiving  and 
praise  to  Him  from  whom  all  blessings  flow ;  and,  in  times 
of  deepest  sorrow,  liither  have  they  come  to  mingle  together 
their  sympathizing  tears,  and  seek  the  comfort  of  Him  who, 
like  as  a  father  pities  his  children,  pities  those  who  fear 
Him ;  and,  as  one  after  another  loved  one  has  passed  away, 
while  the  spirit  took  its  flight  into  eternity,  this  ground  has 
opened  its  friendly  bosom  and  received  the  precious  form,  a 
sacred  trust,  until  the  trump  shall  awaken  them  to  life 
again. 

But  we  must  not  stop  too  long  to  linger  over  such  con- 
templations, but  hasten  on  to  consider  the  men  who  have 
lived  and  the  works  they  have  done. 

A  number  of  persons  preached  here  after  Mr.  Orr,  but 
probably  there  was  no  settled  pastor  until  the  year  1735, 
when  Mr.  David  Cowell  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  the  Church  here  and  that  in  the  city.  These  two 
Churches  Avcre  then,  probably,  regarded  as  but  one,  as  there 
was  but  one  eldership  and  one  set  of  trustees.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Cowell  died  in  1760,  and  from  that  time  till  1769  the 
Rev.  William  Kirkpatrick  oiliciated,  who,  although  he 
received  a  call  at  an  early  date,  declined  to  settle,  and  in 
the  year  1769  accepted  a  call  from  Aniwell. 

In  this  year  the  Churches  of  Lawrence  and  Trenton  called 
the  Rev.  Elihu  Spencer  to  preach  an  equal  portion  of  the 
time  in  each  of  the  three  Churches.  Mr.  Spencer  accepted 
the  call,  and  labored  with  them  until  1785,  when  he  departed 
this  life.  In  the  Autumn  of  this  year  Mr.  James  F.  Arm- 
strong received  a  call  from  these  same  congregations  to 
settle  among  them,  but,  as  he  was  employed  as  Chaplain  in 


6 

the  army,  it  was  not  until  April,  1787,  that  he  accepted 
their  call,  though  he  had  been  preaching  for  them  some 
time  previous  to  this. 

In  1790,  the  congregation  at  Lawrence  asked  for  the 
labors  of  Mr,  Armstrong  for  one-half  of  the  time,  and  it 
was  granted ;  and  in  this  year  this  congregation  asked  for 
the  labors  of  the  Kev.  Joseph  Rue,  who  was  settled  in  Pen- 
nington, for  one-fourth  of  the  time.  To  this  request  Mr. 
Rue  and  the  congregation  at  Pennington  assented.  This 
arrangement  lasted  for  ten  years,  until  1800,  when  this 
people  requested  the  services  of  Mr.  Rue  for  one-third  of 
the  time,  and,  as  both  parties  agreed,  he  preached  here  one- 
third  of  the  time  until  1821,  when  Mr.  Rue  asked  to  be 
released  from  this  part  of  his  charge,  and  his  request  was 
granted. 

Up  to  this  time,  you  perceive,  this  Church  had  probably 
never  had  the  entire  services  of  a  pastor,  but  had  united 
with  others  and  had  a  minister  but  one-third  or  one-fourth 
of  his  time. 

From  1821  to  1823  the  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Hodge,  now 
Professor  in  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  and  with  a 
world-wide  reputation  as  a  theologian,  and  the  Rev.  Jared 
D.  Fyler  supplied  the  congregation  most  of  the  time.  But, 
in  1823,  the  Rev.  Eli  F.  Cooley,  whose  life  and  labors  are 
so  familiar  to  most  of  you,  came  to  this  parish.  A  record 
found  in  the  Session  Book  says  : — "  At  the  commencement 
of  the  year  1823,  the  Church  and  congregation  made  out  a 
call  for  the  Rev.  Eli  F.  Cooley,  pastor 'of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  Middletown,  Monmouth  County,  IST.  J., 
which  call  he  accepted,  and  removed  with  his  family  to  this 
place  April  16, 1823,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  congre- 
gation and  Church  the  4th  of  June  following,  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  Brunswick." 

Of  course,  little  can  be  known  of  most  of  those  persons 
who  lived  and  labored  here  before  Dr.  Cooley  came.  The 
memor}^  of  but  very  few  now  living  here  will  go  back  much 
distance  into  the  preceding  pastorates.  But,  Dr.  Cooley,  in 
his  semi-Centennial  discourse,  says  :  —  "  It  appears,  from  the 
testimony  of  persons  who  have  sat  under  the  ministry  of  all 
the  persons  mentioned  "  (referring,  we  believe,  to  most  of 


those  we  have  mentioned  as  serving  this  Church),  "  except 
Mr.  Orr,  that  they  were  beloved  by  their  people ;  were 
faithful,  useful,  and  honored  servants  of  God."  But  of  the 
life  and  work  of  this  man,  who,  for  more  than  thirty-four 
years,  was  pastor  of  this  Church,  much  more  is  known,  for 
there  are  many  living  epistles  who  can  testify  concerning 
this. 

"When  he  came  here,  Dr.  Cooley  states  that  he  was  unable 
to  find  a  sentence  of  history  relative  to  the  proceedings  of 
the  Church  Session.  There  was  a  paper  given  him  contain- 
ing the  names  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  members  of  the 
Church.  After  strict  inquiry,  it  was  ascertained  that  out  of 
the  one  hundred  and  eighteen,  there  were  but  seventy-six 
residents  here  at  the  time.  This  pastorate,  which  was  a 
long  one,  reaching  on  to  July  19,  1857,  seems  to  have  been 
a  prosperous  one.  This  pastor  came  from  other  fields,  in 
which  God  had  greatly  blessed  his  labors,  to. perform  ser- 
vices here,  upon  which  God  smiled,  and  which  He  caused 
to  bring  forth  rich  fruit.  There  are,  of  course,  many  here 
to-day  who  recall  with  great  delight  many  of  the  scenes  of 
those  years :  some  who  sat  in  his  Bible  class,  and  listened 
to  his  words  of  instruction  there ;  many  who  listened  to  his 
kind  appeals  from  the  pulpit,  and  his  words  of  affectionate 
interest  as  in  private  he  directed  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  There  are  still  ring, 
ing  in  the  ears  of  some  here  to-day,  the  pleasant  words  he 
spake  as  they  in  childhood  drew  near  to  him,  when  he  vis- 
ited in  their  father's  house.  Some  have  not  forgotten  the 
words  of  comfort  he  spake  when,  with  tearful  eyes  and 
heavy  hearts,  they  gathered  around  their  beloved  dead  and 
laid  them  away  in  the  grave.  But  there  is  a  memory 
sweeter  than  all  others  with  some.  It  is  of  the  time  when 
by  him  they  were  led  into  the  fold  of  the  Good  Shepherd, 
and  welcomed  into  the  visible  Church. 

Some  seem  to  have  been  added  to  the  Church  at  dift'ercnt 
times  until  1827,  when  there  must  have  been  a  great  awak- 
ening, which  lasted  about  one  year,  and  during  which  time 
about  ninety  persons  indulged  the  hope  of  being  born  of 
the  Spirit  of  God;  sixty-four  united  themselves  by  profes- 
sion to  this  Church.      Other  years,  also,  witnessed  many 


8 

additions  to  the  Churcli :  in  1833  there  were  ten ;  in  1841, 
twenty ;  in  1842,  twenty-one  ,  so  that,  during  his  pastorate, 
Dr.  Cooley  states  that  there  were  added  to  the  Church :  on 
profession,  two  hundred  and  six,  and  seventy-three  by  cer- 
tificate. 

This,  however,  does  not,  of  course,  measure  the  extent  of 
the  results  he  may  have  been  instrumental  in  achieving 
during  his  life  here.  During  his  pastorate  here  there  was  a 
stir  in  the  Temperance  cause.  It  was  a  movement  in 
which,  doubtless,  many  great  and  good  men  took  opposite 
sides.  Dr.  Cooley  took  a  decided  position  in  favor  of  Tem- 
perance, and,  with  a  firm  support  and  aid  from  some  at 
least,  seems  to  have  accomplished  a  great  work  in  this; 
and,  very  likely,  to-day,  in  our  peaceful,  quiet,  temperance 
neighborhood,  we  are  reaping  the  pleasant  fruits  of  the  seed 
then  sown.  In  his  semi-Centennial  discourse,  he  says:  — 
*'  At  this  day  this  community  is  under  great  obligations  to 
a  certain  female  "  (he  referred  to  Mrs.  Esther  Mcllvaine) 
"  of  our  own  number,  who,  with  a  praiseworthy  zeal  and 
Christian  courage,  persevered,  amidst  no  small  opposition, 
in  endeavoring  to  win  children  to  adopt  the  noble  and  salu- 
tary principles  and  practice  of  Temperance." 

He  remained  here,  performing  the  duties  of  pastor  of  this 
Church,  with  many  to  which  he  gave  attention  beyond, 
until  the  infirmities  of  age  came  upon  him,  when,  for  a  little 
time,  he  laid  aside  the  active  duties  of  the  pastor,  which  he 
had  so  long  performed,  to  live  without  this  burden  upon 
him,  in  the  midst  of  the  people  he  had  so  long  and  so  faith- 
fulh'  served,  and  to  whom  he  was  bound  by  so  many  and  so 
tender  ties,  until  April  22,  1860,  when  death  came,  and  the 
life  which  had  gone  through  so  many  years,  and  which  had 
been  to  so  many  such  a  rich  blessing,  quietly  went  out. 
The  earthly  was  laid  aside  in  yon  churchyard,  where  it 
awaits  the  trump  that  shall  awaken  the  slumbering  dead, 
while  the  immortal  spirit  took  its  flight,  as  we  trust,  to  its 
everlasting  rest. 

Among  the  records  of  the  Mercer  County  Bible  Society 
is  found  the  following,  which  is  testimony  to  his  worth 
which  comes  from  beyond  the  limits  of  this  Church  and 
congregation :  — 


"  Eli  F.  Cooley,  D.D.,  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  of  the  Mercer 
'Countj^  Bible  Society,  departed  this  life  April  22,  1860. 

"  Dr.  Cooley  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  American  Bible  Society, 
organized  in  May,  1815,  in  New  York  City.  To  the  last  he  was  a  sup- 
porter of  the  Bible  cause,  and  the  constant  friend  of  that  large  class 
of  benevolent  and  humane  institutions  which,  owing  their  origin  to 
Bible  Christianity,  have  been  founded  since  the  commencement  of  his 
public  career. 

"  Having  for  sixty  years  exj^erienced  and  manifested  the  transform- 
ing power  of  the  word  of  God  ;  and  having  for  fifty  years  proclaiined 
from  the  pulpit  its  blessed  truths,  he  was  beloved,  esteemed,  and  hon- 
ored. And,  having  well  finished  his  work  on  earth,  he  came  to  his 
grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometli  in  his  season." 

It  may  be  a  matter  of  interest  to  some,  and  we  note  it  in 
passing,  that  a  note  fonnd  in  tlie  Minutes  of  Session  reads 
thus :  — 

"  It  was  resolved,  in  Presbytery  at  New  Brunswick,  Ajiril  23,  1850, 
that  the  congregation  heretofore  known  on  the  records  of  the  Presbj'- 
tery  as  the  '  Trenton  First  Church,'  be  hereafter  known  as  the  '  Church 
of  Ewing.' " 

This,  you,  perceive,  gives  the  date  of  the  changing  of  the 
name  of  this  Church. 

Anotlier  quotation  from  the  records  will  introduce  to  our 
notice  the  next  pastor  of  •this  Church,  the  Rev.  Prentiss 
De  Veuve.     We  find  it  written  there  :  — 

"  The  Rev.  Eli  Field  Cooley,  D.D.,  having  ministered  to  the  Ewing 
Presbyterian  Church  for  the  unusually  long  term  of  thirty-four  years 
and  three  months,  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  on  the  19th  of  July,  1857* 

"On  the  first  day  of  August  (being  the  Saturday  prior  to  the  usual 
communion  occasion),  Mr.  Prentiss  De  Veuve,  a  licentiate  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  Brunswick,  came  to  Ewing,  at  the  request  of  the 
Session,  and  preached  the  ijrei)aratoi'y  lecture  and  the  sermon  at  the 
Communion,  Dr.  Cooley  dispensing  the  Sacrament. 

"  On  the  ensuing  Sabbath  he  preaclied  again,  and  was  requested  by 
the  Session  on  that  day  to  remain  still  another  Sabbath,  which  his 
engagements  permitted  him  to  do.  His  ministrations  jn-oving  accept- 
able to  the  people,  he  was  unanimously  called  to  be  their  pastor  on  the 
last  day  of  the  month.  This  call,  aftei-  due  consideration  and  iM-ayer, 
he  saw  fit  to  accept  on  the  17th  of  September. 

"A  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  was  held  in  the 
Ewing  Church,  on  the  15th  day  of  October,  to  ordain  and  install  Mr. 
De  Veuve,  and,  in  spite  of  a  .severe  storm,  a  large  congregation  assem- 
bled on  the  occasion. 


10 

"The  Rev.  Eli  F.  Cooley,  D.D.,  presided  and  put  the  ordaining  ques- 
tions. The  Rev.  Charles  K.  Imbrie,  of  Jersey  City  (by  special  invita- 
tion), preached  the  sermon,  from  II  Corinthians,  iii  chapter,  5th  verse.. 
The  charge  to  tlie  pastor  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  M..  Hamill,  and 
(owing  to  the  absence  of  the  Rev.  Prof.  McGill,  D,D.,  who  was 
appointed  to  deliver  it)  the  charge  to  the  people  by  the  Rev.  John 
Hall,  D.D. 

"All  the  discourses  were  excellent,  and  a  deep  solemnity  pervaded 
the  audience." 

Thus  was  Mr.  De  Veuve  heard,  called,  ordained,  and 
installed  pastor  of  this  Church. 

His  pastorate  seems  to  have  been  begun  almost  with  an 
addition  to  the  Church,  for  the  records  show  that  at  what 
was  probably  the  first  Communion  after  the  ordination  of 
this  young  pastor,  six  persons  were  received  on  profession  of 
their  faith. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  held  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1857,  it  was  resolved  that  the  use  of  a  parsonage 
be  added  to  the  pastor's  salary,  already  mentioned,  which 
was  |800,  and  that  this  be  inserted  in  the  call.  Further 
action  was  at  that  meeting  taken  with  reference  to  the  mat- 
ter, which,  with  some  preliminary  steps  taken  by  indi- 
viduals, resulted  at  length  in  the  erection  of  the  pleasant 
and  commodious  building  which  is  now  your  pastor's  home. 

Mr.  De  Veuve's  pastorate  was  not  a  long  one,  but  there 
are  doubtless  many  here  to-day  who  remember  the  many 
kind  words  that  he,  as  their  pastor,  has  spoken  with  joyful 
memory.  His  was  a  ministry  that  God  owned  and  blessed 
by  adding  many  unto  the  Church  who  will  doubtless  love 
and  honor  him  on  earth  as  the  instrument  by  which  they 
were  led  to  look  unto  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Saviour,  and 
who,  in  eternity,  will  bless  God  for  his  services. 

Mr.  De  Veuve  closed  his  services  here  in  May,  1864,  and 
was  followed  by  Mr.  David  J.  Atwater.  Another  note 
found  in  the  Session  Book  will  perhaps  best  tell  the  story  of 
his  coming.     It  is  as  follows : 

"  The  Ewing  Church  was  left  without  a  pastor  by  the  resignation  of 
the  Rev.  Prentiss  De  Veuve,  and  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  rela- 
tions between  him  and  the  Ewing  Chui'ch  by  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick,  in  May,  1864.  On  the  first  Sabbath  of  July,  Mr.  David  J. 
Atwater,  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  by  invita- 


11 

tian  of  the  Session,  siip2)lie(l  the  pulpit.  His  services  proving  not 
unacceptable,  he  was  invited  to  supply  the  pulpit  upon  the  Sabbath 
following,  as  also  ui)on  the  third  Sabbath  of  August.  Other  persons 
were  also  invited  to  supply  the  pulpit.  In  the  month  of  August  a  call 
was  extended  to  the  Kev.  Mr.  Pearce,  of  New  York  State,  which  he 
declined.  On  September  20th,  a  call  was  extended  to  Mr.  Atwater, 
which,  after  prayerful  deliberation,  he  accepted.  The  commissioners 
appointed  by  the  congregation  to  prosecute  the  call  before  the  Presby- 
tery (Messrs.  James  H,  Bruer  and  S.  S.  Cooley)  did  so  at  its  meeting  in 
New  Brunswick,  October  4,  1864.  The  call,  being  found  in  order,  was 
put  into  Mr.  Atwater's  hands,  and  he  signified  his  acceptance  of  it. 

"The  Presbytery  a^jpointed  November  25th  as  the  day  of  ordination 
and  installation,  and  the  following  members  to  take  part,  viz.:  The 
Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  Moderator,  to  preside,  projoose  the  constitutional 
(juestions,  and  make  the  ordaining  prayer ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Atwater  to 
preach  the  sermon  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Macdonald  to  give  the  charge  to  the 
pastor,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hall  to  give  the  charge  to  the  iDeoj^le. 

"  On  the  25th  of  November  the  Presbytery  met  in  the  Ewing  Church. 
The  appointments  previously  made  were  fulfilled,  with  the  exception 
of  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  which  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  President 
Maclean  (Dr.  Macdonald  being  prevented  from  attending  and  perform- 
ing the  services  assigned  him,  by  a  funeral),  and  that  to  the  congrega- 
tion, which  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Veuve.  The  day  was 
most  favorable.  A  large  congregation  was  present.  The  exercises 
were  interesting  and  impressive." 

Mr.  Atwater  has  lived  among  you  so  recently,  his  works 
are  so  familiar  and  so  fresh  in  your  memory,  that  for  me  to 
speak  to  you  of  them,  to  call  them  up  from  the  darkness  of 
forgotten  things,  would  seem  superfluous.  The  mere  state- 
ment of  facts,  which  may  be  interesting  in  years  to  come, 
as  facts  with  reference  to  the  far  past  are  now  interesting  to 
us,  might  seem  too  cold  and  too  formal  to  be  spoken  of  one 
the  memory  of  whom  is  so  vivid.  The  records  show  that 
the  Lord  smiled  upon  his  labors,  as  many  were  added  unto 
the  Church.  But  the  faithful  warnings  he  gave ;  the  tender 
sympathies  he  expressed ;  the  afFet-tionate  appeals  he  made, 
and  the  responsive  gratitude  and  love  which  these  excited 
and  stimulated,  are  things  that  are  known  to  you,  perhaps, 
better  than  to  me ;  and  I  might  do  violence  to  tender  and 
sacred  feelings  if  I  should  attempt  to  describe  them.  One 
work  was  accomplished  during  the  time  of  Mr.  Atwater's 
stay,  to  which  we  should  refer,  and  that  is  the  building  of 
this  house  of  worsliip. 


12 

In  Dr.  Hall's  book  called  "  History  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Trenton,  IS".  J.,"  he  says,  referring  to  this  spot:  — 
*'  The  first  Church  on  this  ground  was  built  of  logs  (1712); 
this  made  room,  about  1726,  for  a  frame  building,  which 
was  used  until  1795,  when  one  of  brick  was  erected.  In 
1889  the  Church  was  remodelled."— Pr///^'  37. 

This  brick  Church,  built  in  1795  and  remodelled  in  1839, 
so  familiar  to  almost  every  one  here  but  the  speaker,  who 
never  saw  it,  and  associated  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  so 
many  with  the  fondest  and  the  tenderest  memories,  was 
leveled  to  the  ground  in  March,  1867,  and  this  present  sub- 
stantial and  pleasant  structure  was  reared  in  its  place. 

By  the  records  it  appears  that  at  a  meeting  held  on  the 
21st  of  March,  1864,  some  action  was  taken  looking  toward 
the  building  of  a  new  Church.  This  action  had  reference 
also  to  some  action  which  had  been  previously  taken.  A 
letter  had  been  received  from  the  pastor,  who,  at  that  time, 
was  the  Rev.  Mr.  De  Veuve,  which  had  been  submitted  to 
the  trustees,  and,  upon  their  report,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  procure  plans  and  estimates  for  a  Church,  and 
to  report  to  a  special  meeting  called  for  the  purpose. 
Shortly  after  this  action,  the  relations  between  the  Church 
and  the  pastor  were  dissolved,  and  nothing  further  was  done 
until  March,  1865,  previous  to  which  time  Mr.  Atwater  had 
settled  here.  At  this  time  no  decided  action  seems  to  have 
been  taken,  except  to  appoint  a  meeting  for  October  2d,  at 
which  to  consider  it.  At  this  meeting  committees  were 
appointed,  and  the  work  fairly  begun.  This  meeting  of 
October  2,  1875,  appointed  one  committee  to  see  where 
sand  could  be  secured  at  the  best  advantage,  and  who  would 
be  willing  to  cart  the  same,  and  how  much.  This  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Messrs.  Elijah  L.  Hendrickson,  John  M_ 
Yancleve,  and  Alexander  B.  Green.  Another  committee 
was  appointed  to  look  after  the  raising  of  the  money,  which 
committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  James  B.  Green,  Abram 
Skirm,  John  R.  Hendrickson,  Jacob  Hendrickson,  Joseph 
B.  Anderson,' and  Randolph  S.  Hunt. 

The  above  committees  were  also  authorized  by  a  resolu- 
tion to  confer  together,  and,  if  they  have  encouragement  to 
proceed,  that  they  procure  stone  and  endeavor  to  get  them 


13 

carted    during   the    winter,  by   the    congregation,   free    of 
charge. 

There  was  also  a  committee  appointed,  styled  a  '*  building 
committee,"  who  should  have  power  to  purchase  and  make 
contracts,  and  commence  operations  for  a  new  church,  as 
soon  as  the  fund  committee  should  think  that  they  had 
encouragement  for  the  necessary  funds.  This  committee 
consisted  of  Messrs.  James  B.  Green,  Thomas  F.  Howell, 
William  A.  Hough,  Henry  P.  Green,  and  John  R.  Hen- 
drickson. 

The  remainder  of  the  year  '65  and  the  whole  of  '66  must 
have  been  occupied  in  the  preparatory  work  by  the  commit- 
tees and  trustees.  We  have  the  record  of  the  meeting  of 
the  committees  and  trustees  on  the  4th  of  January,  1867,  at 
which  time  they  determined  on  calling  a  special  meeting  of 
the  congregation.  At  this  meeting  of  the  congregation 
held  January  7,  1867,  the  committees  and  trustees  were 
authorized  to  go  ahead,  and  some  further  committees  were 
then  appointed.  They,  having  received  such  authority  and 
instruction,  seem  to  have  very  promptly  responded.  One 
meeting  was  held  at  the  Church,  on  the  15th  day  of  January, 
to  consider  a  plan  for  the  new  Church,  and  another  at  the 
store  of  Mr.  Theodore  Cook,  in  Trenton,  for  receiving  pro- 
posals from  contractors  for  building  the  Church.  Upon 
this  day,  after  the  examination  of  the  proposals,  the  con- 
tract was  awarded  to  Mr.  Smith  E.  Hughes,  for  the  sum  of 
$19,265,  and  the  12th  of  February  fixed  upon  to  sign  the 
contract;  and,  on  the  12th  of  February,  this  was  done,  at 
the  office  of  the  Trenton  Banking  Company.  The  names 
of  the  trustees  who  signed  Mr.  Atwater's  call  in  '64,  and 
which  also  appear  to  the  report  submitted  at  the  meeting 
March  16,  1868,  and  who,  we  presume,  therefore,  must  have 
held  this  office  during  the  entire  time  of  the  building  of  the 
Church,  were  John  M.  Vancleve,  James  B.  Green,  E.  L. 
Hendrickson,  E.  W.  Lanning,  Jacob  Hendrickson,  William 
H.  Cox,  and  Abram  Skirm. 

This,  of  course,  gives  only  the  merest  outlines — the  bare 
skeleton.  Of  wliat  was  done  in  the  few  months  that  fol- 
lowed, while  the  walls  of  this  structure  were  gradually 
rising  up,  and  this  house  was  assuming  its  present  propor- 


14 

tions  and  comeliness,  there  are  many  here  that  could  tell 
more  than  I.  You  know,  hetter  than  I,  the  toils,  the  cares, 
the  anxiety  it  cost.  None  of  you  will  probably  ever  forget 
those  busy  days,  and  weeks,  and  months ;  nor  how,  upon 
the  Sabbath,  you  used  to  come  to  worship  beneath  the  sheds 
where  to-day  the  tired  horses,  reclaiming  the  position  from 
which  you  for  a  time  drove  them,  rest. 

You  understand  the  details  of  some  of  these  transactions 
better  than  I ;  and  yet,  from  a  similar  experience  in  another 
place,  I  can  comprehend  something  of  how  much  of  himself 
a  man  may  build  into  a  structure  like  this ;  how  much  of 
bone  and  muscle,  and  how  much  of  mind  and  heart.  How 
much  of  joy  and  satisfaction  is  there,  too,  when  the  work  is 
done. 

That  20th  day  of  l^ovember,  1867,  was  doubtless  a  day 
of  great  rejoicing  in  Ewing,  when  the  people  who  had 
labored  and  struggled  to  rear  this  house,  gathered  within  its 
walls  to  dedicate  it  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God. 

On  that  occasion  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Hall,  from  the  XCVIth  Psalm,  9th  verse;  the  dedi- 
catory prayer  was  offered  by  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  D.  J. 
Atwater ;  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Blackburn,  Kennedy,  Studdi- 
ford,  and  Swinnerton  took  part  in  the  devotional  services ; 
brief  addresses  were  made  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Hale,  Macdon- 
ald,  and  Atwater,  and  the  pastor. 

Probably  almost  every  one  before  me  to-day  had  some 
share  in  that  work,  and  to-da}^  have  a  share  in  the  enjoy- 
ment that  is  derived  from  its  construction.  Resolutions 
passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  on  the  16th  of 
March,  1868,  giving  thanks  to  those  who  had  been  engaged 
in  the  work  or  contributed  to  it,  and  specially  mentioning 
certain  individuals  as  particularly  deserving  these  expres- 
sions of  gratitude,  indicate  something  of  the  good  feeling 
and  pleasure  that  was  then  felt,  and  an  appreciation  of  the 
services  rendered  by  these  individuals. 

But  Mr.  Atwater's  pastorate  here  at  length  came  to  an 
end,  and  for  a  few  months  after  the  pulpit  was  sui3plied  by 
different  ministers,  until  the  second  Sabbath  in  July,  which 
was  the  9th  day,  1871,  when  the  present  incumbent  for  the 
first  time  preached  in  this  pulpit. 


15 

However  mueli  we  miglit  desire  it,  if  we  would  complete 
our  work  we  must  not  stop  liere.  Our  history  should  end 
only  witli  the  close  of  a  century  of  our  nation's  existence. 
Let  us,  therefore,  continue  our  recital  of  events. 

For  four  successive  Sabbaths  in  July  of  '71,  the  speaker 
preached  here,  and  on  the  31st  a  call  was  given  for  his  ser- 
vices. The  call  was  accepted,  and  on  the  14th  of  Sep- 
tember he  moved  to  the  parsonage ;  and  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  which  was  September  17th,  preached  again  in  this 
Church.  The  call  was  laid  before  the  Presbytery,  and  by 
that  body  formally  put  into  the  hands  of  your  pastor,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  Flemington,  on  the  3d  of  October.  Ar- 
rangements were  made  for  the  installation  on  the  25tli,  and 
on  that  day  the  services  were  held  in  the  Church,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  taking  part  in  them,  viz.:  the  Rev.  Daniel 
R.  Foster  presided  and  preached  the  sermon;  the  Rev. 
David  J.  Atwater  gave  the  charge  to  the  people,  and  the 
Rev.  R.  H.  Richardson,  D.D.,  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor, 
while  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Manning  and  De  Veuve  took  part 
in  the  devotional  exercises. 

Thus  began  a  pastorate  which  has  now  lasted  not  quite 
five  years,  but  during  which  time  many  changes  have 
occurred. 

I  am  greatly  relieved  from  the  embarrassment  which 
might  be  felt  in  speaking  of  one's  own  doings,  by  the  fact 
that  there  is  so  much  to  record  in  which  the  people  stand 
prominently  out.  Some  other  occasion  might  afford  a  bet- 
ter opportunity  to  detail  the  vast  number  of  events  that 
have  wrought  changes  in  our  congregation,  and  great 
changes  in  the  families  which  compose  it ;  and  which  have 
<;rowded  these  few  years  with  scenes  that  have  left  their 
impress  both  upon  the  external,  the  visible,  and  also  deep 
in  the  hearts  of  many.  But  much  of  this  we  must  let  pass, 
and  look  simply  upon  some  of  the  most  prominent  features 
of  this  pastorate. 

Let  a  stranger  look  in  upon  us  to-day,  and  he  would 
doubtless  acknowledge  that,  to  a  good  degree,  this  is  a 
working  Church.  Look  at  our  organizations  and  appliances 
for  labor,  and  (we  hope  we  may  not  seem  to  boast ;  most  of 
all,  that  he  who  speaks  may  not  appear  arrogant,)  they  do 


16 

seem  to  indicate  that  there  are  at  least  symptoms  of  life- 
Its  power  is  yot  all  told  in  records  and  reports  which  place 
names  and  figures  before  the  eye.  These  societies  and 
organizations,  which  have  been  accomplishing  so  much,, 
make  the  influence  of  this  Church  felt  at  home  and  abroad. 
Those  who  have  been  connected  wdth  them,  we  doubt  not, 
will  testify  of  the  good  they  have  received;  while  there 
would  be  myriads,  could  they  be  summoned  to  the  stand 
who  would  bear  witness  of  the  rich  blessings  they  have 
scattered  abroad. 

The  "  Pastor's  Aid  Society,"  wdth  its  noble  band  of 
Christian  workers,  has  exerted  an  influence  which  will  not 
cease  when  they  shall  die,  but  w^ill  go  on  through  all  time ; 
and  many  a  kind  word  spoken,  and  many  a  truth  scattered 
upon  the  printed  page,  shall  produce  eiFects,  doubtless,  that 
shall  be  known  in  eternity  only,  and  shall  there  receive 
their  reward. 

The  "  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society,"  and  that 
other — which  may  be  termed  its  ofispring,  but  which  has 
grown  to  such  proi3ortions  that,  in  some  particulars,  the 
child  might  vie  successfully  with  the  parent  for  the  leader- 
ship—  "The  Children's  Band,"  are  lifting  up  in  foreign 
lands  the  standard  of  the  Cross ;  and,  by  telling  those  who 
are  sunken  in  the  ignorance,  and  superstition,  and  vice  of 
Paganism,  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  takes 
away  the  sin  of  the  world,  they  are  sending  light,  and 
peace,  and  joy  into  many  a  dark  abode,  and  happiness  into 
many  a  family  circle. 

The  "  Ladies'  Sewing  Society,"  in  sending  out  its  boxes 
of  clothing,  has  been  doing  a  noble  service,  and,  as  we 
believe,  one  which  would  call  forth  our  blessed  Saviour's 
commendation.  We  seem  to  hear  him  say : — "  Liasmuch 
as  ye  have  done  it  unto  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  Me." 

While  the  "  Temperance  Association,"  with  its  officered 
regiment,  is  to-day  marching  on,  if  not  so  much  in  a  crusade 
or  open  war  with  that  great  and  bitter  enemy  of  our  race  — 
Rum  —  is  marching  on,  nevertheless,  in  a  path  that  is,  to 
those  who  keep  in  it,  safe  from  the  approaches  of  the  enemy. 

These  seem  some  of  the  prominent  features  of  these  last 


17 

few  3^ears.  Our  Churcli-roll,  although  it  has  been  fre- 
quently pruned  by  removal  and  death,  has,  nevertheless, 
received  additions,  so  that  to-day  it  numbers  about  two 
hundred. 

Another  time  and  place  might  be  more  appropriate  for 
any  lengthy  consideration  of  our  nation's  history ;  and  yet, 
perhaps,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  notice  some  of  the  changes 
which  have  occurred  in  the  world  around  us,  since  they 
have  given  to  us  new  opportunities  and  new  facilities  for 
doing  good,  and  have  thereby  laid  upon  us  new  responsi- 
bilities. Since  this  Churcli  began  its  course  our  nation  was 
born,  has  passed  through  the  various  stages  of  its  existence, 
and  arrived  to  the  maturity  of  almost  a  century  of  rolling 
years.  This  Church  witnessed  the  great  struggle  of  our 
fathers  for  their  freedom  from  oppression ;  and  some  who 
were  in  some  way  connected  with  it,  took  part  in  the  war. 
It  has  witnessed,  too,  that  other  struggle  through  which 
this  nation  passed  when,  like  a  patient  thrown  into  spasms 
in  an  effort  to  cast  off  the  poison  he  has  taken  into  his 
system,  it  was  thrown  into  terriiic  convulsions,  apparently, 
by  the  great  Physician,  to  rid  itself  of  an  evil  that  was 
destroying  its  life.  ,  It  has  not  been  a  mere  disinterested 
and  idle  spectator,  but  it  has  done  noble  service  for  the 
nation.  To  the  nation's  call  it  gave  a  hearty  response, 
sending  forth  its  l>rave  and  true  sons  to  iio-ht  our  nation's 
battles ;  and  to-day,  when  the  war  is  over,  some  are  wel- 
comed back  among  us  again  to  enjoy  in  peace  the  fruit  of 
their  hard  service.  Others  fell,  and  in  the  bosom  of  this 
churchyard,  sacred  by  so  many  hallowed  associations,  lie 
their  lifeless  forms,  unseen  and  silent,  but  not  forgotten. 

But  what  rapid  strides  the  nation  has  made  in  almost 
everything  that  goes  to  make  a  nation  great !  "What 
advance  in  the  facilities  for  travel,  and  in  almost  all  com- 
munication !  The  use  of  steam  has,  to  a  great  extent, 
supplanted  the  means  of  travel  enjoyed  by  the  founders  of 
this  Church,  and  distances  that  then  required  days  or 
weeks  to  overcome,  are  now  traveled  in  a  few  short  hours. 
Thought  is  sent  at  lightning  speed  along  the  metal  tracks 
which  are  stretched  all  throuirh  our  land  and  across  the  sea. 


18 

like  sensitive  nerves  through  a  human  frame.  And,  by  the 
rapid  circnlati6n  of  the  emanations  from  the  press,  the  most 
distant  points  are  brought  near,  and  we  live,  like  one  family, 
in  constant  intercourse  with  each  other. 

And  the  world  around  us  is  not  standing  still.  It  has 
advanced,  and  is  going  on,  and  we,  too,  are  being  swept 
along  in  this  mighty  current  of  advancement  and  improve- 
ment. It  is  only  necessary  to  stand  in  the  open  air  and 
look  over  these  farms  of  yours  to  see  how  we  have  come 
along,  Mark  the  change,  as  to-day  the  boy  who  can  guide 
his  father's  team  mounts  the  reaper  or  the  plow  and  accom- 
plishes the  work  that  in  the  days  of  our  fathers  would  have 
required  many  men  with  their  rude  sickles  and  hoes  and 
wooden  plows  to  do. 

Even  a  score  of  years  ago,  if  the  pastor  of  this  church 
had  risen  in  his  pulpit  and  ventured  to  predict  that  in  this 
year  which  should  complete  a  century  in  the  existence  of 
our  nation,  passengers  from  JSTew  York  to  Philadelphia 
would  be  whirled  along  by  steam  across  3'our  farms,  and 
that  you  could  take  a  seat  in  a  railroad  car  almost  at  your 
own  door  and  fly  away  to  well  nigh  the  farthest  bound  of 
our  continent,  you  would,  perhaps,  have  laughed  at  his 
credulity.  Perhaps  you  will  not  do  more  if  I  venture  the 
suggestion  that  it  may  be  that  in  another  score  of  years,  or, 
at  most,  in  another  half  century,  these  farms,  of  which  we 
all  feel,  perhaps,  a  justifiable  pride,  will  be  cut  hither  and 
thither  with  intersecting  avenues ;  and  dotted  with  palatial 
residences  here  and  there,  and  clusters  of  thriving  homes ; 
and  tlie  hum  of  business  and  the  whistle  of  the  factory  shall 
be  heard  where  now  there  is  only  the  lowing  of  the  cattle, 
the  neighing  of  the  horse,  and  the  bleating  of  the  sheep.  A 
change  like  this  is  not  impossible ;  and  how  a  change  like 
this  would  change  our  congregation  !  Sometimes  Ave  hear 
a  doleful  lament  that  our  congregrtion  is  -VA^aning ;  we  are 
sufl:ering  losses.  And  so  we  are.  But  let  us  allow  no  fear- 
ful forebodings  to  influence  us  to  give  up,  or  to  slacken  our 
pace  in  the  least,  in  every  good  enterprise  in  which  God, 
our  Heavenly  Father,  permits  us  to  engage.  'Tis  God  who 
has  brought  us  thus  far,  and  'tis  He  who  is  to  take  us  on. 


19 

Has  He  not,  in  His  past  dealings  with  us,  given  us  enough 
to  encourage  liope  and  stimulate  to  earnestness  and  zeal,  as 
we  press  forward  into  the  future  ?  If  He  has  given  us  a 
work  to  do,  let  us  never  be  restrained  from  undertaking  it 
through  fear  that  we  are  growing  weak,  and  are  soon  to  fall 
into  decay.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  more  eifectual  means  to 
produce  the  condition  that  we  may  dread,  than  to  yield  to 
the  fear  and  sit  down  in  idleness.  No  one,  probably,  would 
presume  to  charge  us  with  that  folly  now.  Let  us  beware, 
so  that  they  shall  never  have  an  opportunity. 

I  cannot  leave  this  task,  which  will  doubtless  be  sadly 
imperfect  when  done,  without  addressing  a  few  words  to 
each  individual  before  me  to-day.  Let  me  ask  you,  my 
beloved  friend,  amid  all  these  changes  which  you  have 
observed,  and  in  the  midst  of  Avhich  you  have  lived,  what 
change  has  there  been  in  yourself?  There  are  some,  of 
course,  which  may  appear  to  all.  You  have  been  growing- 
older.  You  have  not  stood  still,  but  have  advanced  through 
all  these  years.  While  you  have  been  advancing  towards 
eternity,  have  you  prepared  for  its  solemn  realities  ?  In  the 
part  you  have  taken  in  the  operations  of  the  past,  you  have 
commended  yourself  to  your  fellow  men,  it  may  be.  They, 
perhaps,  speak  well  of  you,  and  you  deserve  their  praise. 
Have  you  also  done  that  which  you  know  must  l)e  pleasing 
unto  God,  who  so  loved  the  world  that  He  has  given  His 
only  begotten  Son  to  die,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life?  Have  you 
believed?     Have  you  taken  Jesus  Christ  as  your  Saviour? 

You  may  have  erected  many  monuments  of  your  enter- 
prise, and  zeal,  and  benevolence,  and  interest  in  religious 
things ;  but  remember  that,  though  in  His  name  you  have 
taught,  and  cast  out  devils,  and  done  many  wonderful 
works,  yet,  if  you  have  failed  to  do  the  one  thing  needful, 
if  you  have  failed  to  take  Jesus  Christ  as  your  Saviour,  it 
shall  all  be  of  no  avail.  Have  you  done  this  ?  You  may 
have  laid  up  many  and  rich  treasures  upon  this  earth,  but 
have  you  laid  up  treasures  in  Heaven  ?  We  speak  of 
changes  that  may  come  in  the  world  around  us  in  a  few 


20 


years,  but  this  is  all  only  our  imagination.  Of  some  things, 
however,  we  are  certain.  In  a  few  years  you  and  I  will  be 
gone.  This  building  will  doubtless  stand,  but  it  will  be 
filled  by  other  faces.  In  a  few  years,  at  most,  another  will 
stand  in  this  pulpit,  and  speak  to  other  hearers,  while  you 
and  I,  my  dear  friends,  will  be  in  eternity.  What  prepara- 
tions are  we  making  for  it  ?     What  ? 


(jay lord  Bros. 

Makers 

Syracuse,  N.  ^'. 

PAT,  JAN.  21,  1908 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Libraries 


1    1012  01217   1882 


■i^l^lffS 


